MODERN METHODS OF CANCER TREATMENT USED ABROAD

It is scientifically proven that cancer is one of the most common diseases in the world. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 2 million new cases of cancer will be registered in the United States in 2024, of which 611,720 will be fatal. 

The infographic shows that the main risk group is people between the ages of 30 and 54.

Despite the fact that great progress has been made in medicine, humanity still needs to invent an improved cancer therapy. One of the key tasks is to solve the problem of tumor heterogeneity. This means that neoplasms are composed of different types of cells with different molecular features. This allows tumors to be resistant to drugs. Therefore, the world's leading oncologists and other specialists develop new methods of cancer treatment every year. They take into account the individual characteristics of malignant tumors.

In this article, the medical authors of Experts Medical have collected all the relevant information so that you can learn more about the world's leading cancer treatments.

Clinics in Germany, Israel, and Spain offer patients 2 unique methods of treating cancer. These are therapies that improve the prognosis for people with advanced and complex cancers.

Personalized vaccines

It is suitable for the treatment of malignant tumors caused by genetic mutations. These mutations are unique to each cancer. Personalized cancer vaccines are special injections that are created in the laboratory based on the analysis of the tumor cells of a particular patient. Cancer vaccines stimulate the human immune system to recognize and destroy only malignant cells. RO7198457 is one of these vaccines. It showed good results in the treatment of melanoma. 66% of patients had a clinical response to therapy. This vaccine is being developed by Genentech and BioNTech and is used in leading clinics in Europe.

CAR-T

CAR-T therapy is a technology for targeting immune cells to attack a tumor. This technology was approved for use in 2018 for the treatment of cancer. Therapy with CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy) consists in extracting immune cells (T-lymphocytes) from the patient's blood. They are modified in the laboratory to produce special receptors that can bind to antigens on the surface of abnormal tumor cells.

The modified cells are injected back into the patient's body where they actively seek out and destroy the cancer. Abroad, CAR-T is also effectively used to treat certain forms of leukemia and lymphoma that are not amenable to other types of therapy.

Kymriah is one of the types of this therapy. It showed effectiveness in 83% of cases in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This treatment was developed by Novartis. This technique is used in some clinics in Israel, Western Europe, USA, Japan, and Australia.

What is known about the CAR-T technique for cancer treatment in 2025?

Liam Tremble, chief scientific officer at Poolbeg Pharma, said that cell therapies for solid tumors are expected to make progress in the coming years. “These therapies will develop rapidly, bringing huge benefits to patients,” Tremble added.

CAR-T therapy, like all immunotherapy options, has its drawbacks. There are difficulties with side effects. Nevertheless, new drugs can be used in combination with immunotherapy to treat cancer.

CAR T-cell therapy in 2024-2025 is well established as a treatment option for cancer. Long-term data from major centers such as the University of Pennsylvania has emerged, providing a clear picture of the nuanced application of such treatment. Researchers believe significant work needs to be done to further improve CAR-T and increase efficacy against solid tumors.

Radiopharmaceuticals (RPFs) are the trend of 2025

According to Patrick Amstutz, CEO of Molecular Partners (a Swiss biotech company), radiopharmaceuticals are at the peak of their popularity. They are used in both diagnosis and therapy of oncology.

When a radioactive isotope of an element (fluorine-18, gallium-68, zirconium-89 and technetium-99m) binds to a drug or monoclonal antibody, it attaches to cancer cells. Using an imaging machine, the radioisotope can be detected, identifying the exact location of the atypical cells. Once the target cells are identified, the therapeutic radioisotope (actinium-225, iodine-131, yttrium-90 or astat-211) penetrates the cancer cells. It then disintegrates, destroying the tumor.

“We see two major themes emerging in 2025 that will transform cancer treatment in terms of both quality of life and patient survival. These are radiopharmaceuticals and immune cell activators,” says Amstutz.

What types of cancer are radiopharmaceuticals used to treat?

Radiopharmaceuticals are appropriate for patients with neuroendocrine tumors (originating in the nervous system or from cells of the endocrine system). Innovative radiopharmaceuticals are appropriate for people diagnosed with thyroid cancer, in some types of lymphoma, and with bone metastases.

New in cancer treatment: developments and prospects

According to ClinicalTrials (a database of private and public clinical trials conducted around the world), new clinical trials are underway in 2023:

• in Germany - 15;
• in Italy - 23;
• in Israel - 8;
• in Spain - 25;
• in Turkey - 18;
• in France - 29.

Through ongoing clinical trials, patients around the world will be able to receive safer and more effective treatments for various cancers.

For comparison, as of June 2023, countries such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, and Estonia have not introduced any new research in the field of cancer treatment.

Medical science, like information technology, is developing without stopping. Scientists around the world conduct tens of thousands of clinical trials every year to develop new drugs to fight cancer. Among them, two of the most interesting and promising methods of therapy can be distinguished.

USE OF THE MICROBIOME IN CANCER THERAPY

The microbiome is the collection of all microorganisms that live in our body and affect health. The microbiome may also play a role in the development and treatment of cancer. Some microbes can contribute to the development of tumors by causing chronic inflammation or by damaging the DNA of cells. Other microbes may help fight cancer by boosting the immune response or modifying the way drugs work.

For example: Researchers have found that certain Bifidobacterium bacteria can enhance the effect of CAR-T therapy in treating leukemia in mice by activating immune cells in the gut. These bacteria may also increase the efficacy of anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy in the treatment of melanoma and lung cancer. Conversely, some bacteria from the genus Akkermansia may reduce the effectiveness of immunotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer in mice by suppressing the immune response. These and other data suggest that microbiome manipulation may be a useful strategy to improve cancer treatment.

The microbiome can influence susceptibility to certain types of cancer and response to treatment. Especially on immunotherapy, which, as shown in preclinical models and patient groups, can be influenced by intestinal microbes. The gut microbiome is also able to influence the effectiveness of chemotherapy by modulating the patient's immunity.

Researchers are exploring the possibility of using the microbiome to improve cancer treatment outcomes. For example, an article in the journal Nature Medicine discusses current research on the use of the microbiome to prevent cancer.

Increasing the accuracy of medical technologies: nanomedicine

One of the problems with traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy is that they affect not only tumor cells but also healthy tissues, causing serious side effects. Therefore, it is important to develop technologies that allow drugs or radiation to be delivered pointwise to the tumor, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.

Nanomedicine is an example of this technology. Nanoparticles for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors are used. Nanoparticles can carry various types of drugs or radioactive elements and deliver them to the tumor using special target molecules that recognize tumor cells. Nanoparticles can also enhance the effect of thermal ablation, heating a tumor to high temperatures in order to destroy it. NanoTherm is one of these nanoparticles. It showed good results in the treatment of glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive types of brain cancer. According to clinical studies, 29% of patients continued to live for more than two years after therapy. This nanoparticle is being developed by MagForce. It is not widely used but the technology is already available in several medical centers around the world.

What are B-cells and how does it help in the fight against cancer?

B-cells are a type of lymphocyte that plays an important role in adaptive immunity. The function of B-cells is to produce antibodies that recognize and neutralize antigens, including cancer cells. When a B-cell encounters an antigen, it is activated and actively produces antibodies.

Stefano Gulla, chief safety officer at Dutch company Kling Biotherapeutics, believes that cancers are constantly mutating and developing resistance to therapy. Therefore, oncologists need to have as many different anti-cancer drugs in their arsenal as possible.

“Over the past few years, we have learned that B-cells produce antibodies that can recognize antigens on the surface of tumors and also coordinate an immune response against them,” Gulla said. “We believe that B-cells will play a key role in producing new antibodies that recognize the tumor. In doing so, healthy tissue remains intact. This creates a new generation of personalized therapies.”

Predictions for cancer treatment in 2025 with immunotherapy

Immune therapies will remain relevant in 2025. According to Jonathan Kagan, president of Corner Therapeutics, T-cell immunotherapy will be relevant for the treatment of malignant tumors for years to come.

“The last ten years have shown that T-cells are the central players in immunotherapy. The next 10 years will be the period of innate immune cells, which are so important for the natural control of T-cell function. In the next few years, breakthroughs in our understanding of the innate immune system will usher in a wave of next-generation vaccines that can eradicate many cancers and infectious diseases. We are moving rapidly toward a future where inexpensive and patient-friendly drugs that can cure diseases with immunotherapy are possible,” Kagan said.

Modern cancer treatment: not the newest but the most effective techniques

In 2023, countries with developed medicine are actively using the latest methods of cancer treatment. Among them are immunotherapy, genetic engineering (for example, CAR-T therapy), CyberKnife irradiation, and other types of treatment. They are modern because according to the statistics of clinics, they have the best indicators of the effectiveness of the treatment of oncological diseases compared to a number of protocol methods.

Why is it important for foreign patients to know?

Most topical cancer treatments are not available in their area of residence. There is also the problem of using outdated models of devices or an insufficient number of drugs to choose from. This excludes or significantly limits the possibilities of targeted treatment for specific types of oncology. Therefore, often patients prefer to undergo therapy and surgical treatment of cancer abroad. This is most relevant for residents of Asia and Eastern Europe.

Let us briefly list the modern methods of oncology treatment that patients of leading foreign clinics can count on.

This is not the whole list of medical technologies and medicines available in foreign clinics. But it was these cancer treatments that received the most positive feedback from patients who sought help from Experts Medical.

WHY ARE THE LATEST CANCER TREATMENTS NOT AVAILABLE IN ALL COUNTRIES?

Countries with developed medicine usually have a high level of health care and a well-developed system of patient care. According to the data of Numbeo (the world's largest database of cities and countries), Germany, South Korea, and France are the top countries in terms of the level of medical care.

Regarding the treatment of oncology, the most popular areas for foreigners are Germany, Israel, Spain, Turkey, the Czech Republic, and South Korea. These countries have a high level of medical care and offer new methods of fighting cancer. At the same time, the cost of medical services in Israeli and Turkish hospitals will be more affordable than in American or Western European clinics.

When choosing a country for cancer treatment, it is important not only to consider the general level of medicine in the state. You need to choose a clinic with a good rating in the field of treatment of a particular disease using the most effective technique.

Where to go to try new cancer treatments?

New methods of oncology treatment open up prospects for patients who are looking for a clinic for treatment abroad. However, choosing the right hospital and doctor can be a difficult and costly process. With the help of Experts Medical's doctor selection service and leading hospitals, patients have access to the best solutions for each individual case.

Experts Medical is an online platform that connects patients with medical centers around the world. The company's doctors-coordinators will be able to offer innovative cancer treatment methods that are available in various hospitals in Europe, Turkey, Israel, and South Korea.

Leave a request on the website in order to:

• get a free consultation from qualified doctors who will evaluate your medical history and provide several clinics to choose from;
• compare prices and conditions of treatment in different hospitals and countries, as well as read reviews from other patients;
• book flights, transfers, and accommodation for your treatment abroad;
• receive support during the entire treatment process from a personal manager of the company.

Experts Medical works only with proven and accredited clinics that have a high level of quality of treatment and safety for foreigners. The company guarantees the confidentiality and protection of your personal data. Medical coordinators specialize in organizing trips to foreign hospitals where they practice modern methods of treating malignant neoplasms.

Sources:

• https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/2024-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf
• https://www.labiotech.eu/in-depth/oncology-trends-2025
• Targeting the gut and tumor microbiota in cancer | Nature Medicine
• https://ccr.cancer.gov/news/horizons/article/human-microbiome-in-cancer
• https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=Cancer&term=2023&cntry=FR&state=&city=&dist=&Search=Search